Xavier's POV
I maneuver the car off the busy street and into the small parking lot of my favorite fast food joint. Finding an empty spot, I hop out at the same time as Zoey.
Originally I had a lunch reservation at a top-end restaurant but canceled at the last minute since I have a craving for a real cheeseburger and shake, not foreign chicken. I also wanted to check on the place, it had been a while since I've been.
My eyes dart around the surroundings as we both walk in silence up to the entrance. The outside looks better— way better— than the last time I was here.
I'm glad they're putting the money to good use.
The bell rings as we enter the now air conditioned building.
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Zoey's POV I step into the apartment, closing the door behind me after Mr. Danvers dropped me off a minute or two ago. I shake my head remembering the conversation at that diner. At least I got to know two major details about him. He has no favorite colour and he's a fucking asshole. I can't believe he suggested... He's so impossible! I set down the folder on the couch before going into the kitchen with the lunch I got from the diner. I really don't feel like going into my room, at least not now.
Zoey's POV I stare over at the contract on the table as if I expect it to pounce on me at any moment. Maybe it will and I would deserve the scratches I get.I can't believe that I recklessly signed the paper. How can I be so stupid and impulsive? I've been sitting here for almost half an hour now. I gingerly sip my second cup of coffee as I try to conjure up ways to get my signature off the immaculate paper. I thought of everything from white-out to markers to disfiguring it but came up with nothing. Everything I came up with is between childish and downright stupid. I can't believe I'm agreeing to this. I must be outta my mind. I'm just elated that Kat's still asleep. She had the day off. Today's Sunday meaning that tomorrow she will be leaving. I don't thin
Xavier's POV "Thank you for taking me in on such short notice. See you on Wednesday Kay." I stop pacing the office as soon as I hang up the call. I was on the phone with a stylist slash makeup artist, and dear friend of mine, Kaylee Smith. Everything is now sorted out. I have to take Zoey to pick out an engagement ring on Monday and clothes shopping on Wednesday. I dial Zoey quickly after to tell her about her friend's good fortune, which she doesn't take so well. Of course I was the one who arranged for Ms. Davis to be sent to Paris because she is talented and needed to, well, spread that talent, but, mostly, to get her out of the picture. It was hazardous to keep her around. When all this blows up, which it won't, I need to be the one who controls the pres
Zoey's POV I set down the big duffel bag on the bed. As I empty the drawers, I toss the contents into the bag. Hurrying to the bathroom, I cleared the cabinets and dump all the toiletries into another section of the bag. Finally I place the clothes I bought yesterday inside a shopping bag and tied it before stacking it on top of the other clothes. There, all set. I zip the duffel bag and placed the contract next to it before walking out and into the kitchen. The place feels oddly quiet. I guess it has to do something with Kat not being here anymore. She left for her flight a bit earlier in the morning. I did follow her to the airport where things got emotional. We both cried our eyes out.
Zoey's POV "... and this is your room Ms. Saunders," Xavier's housekeeper, Mrs.Andersonsays in a kind tone as pushes the door open to a huge bedroom. "If there's anything you want—" "No, I'm good." I cut her off with a polite smile. "And please call me Zoey." "Okay Ms. Zoey. I'll be downstairs. If you need anything, just call or shout. I'll hear you." The woman nods once before she turns and walks off. I enter the room and close the door behind me.This is easily twice the size of our entire apartment flat. Sun rays from the open balcony shine through the glass chandelier, creating a weird shape on the room's luxurious vanity dresser. My eyes wander over to the q
Zoey's POV I set down the now empty bowl on the nightstand. I make a mental note to return it to the kitchen before I go off to bed. Seconds later, a crash comes from downstairs alerting every cell in my body. Maybe it's a house pet or something. I ignore it and focus back on the laptop's screen. Another loud crash rings throughout the house, followed by hush voices. What the actual fuck? I pause the movie then remove the Airpods, setting them both on the other side of the bed. Heaving a short sigh I silently roll out of bed and looked for possible defense weapons. This is stupid maybe I should just call the police.
Xavier's POV I roll out of bed and jump in my pants, ditching the boxers in the messy heap of clothing. "Where are you going?"Ashley drawls, pure lust dance behind her eyes as they trail my sticky body. One of the things I like about her is that she can keep up with me. "To get breakfast." Sinking my palms on the mattress I lean down and peck her on the lips. The woman releases a moan as she pulls my head down deepening the chaste kiss. "I'll be back." "Hurry." She gives me a shove, realising my lips. I shoot her a smile as I pick up the shirt off the floor and pull it over my head. "Leave the shirt." "As you wish." I smirk, re
Zoey's POV I give myself a once over in the floor length mirror. My damp hair now hangs down to my tank top, wetting bits and pieces of the fabric. Damnit. I wordlessly pull on a pair of worn, faded jeans then the converse I bought on my thrift store run. I am seriously contemplating if I should go back downstairs. I wonder if Natasha will be down there. I really don't want to have another run in with her. I almost screwed things up, I'm just relieved that Xavier dominated the whole situation. My stomach grumbles, reminding me that I'd barely had anything to eat since last night. I push my hair over my shoulders as I exit the room
Zoey's POV 6 months later "Thank you," Taking the glass out of Alex's hand, I examine the cold beverage. The water on the outside that runs down my bare hand sends a shiver up my spine. It is weird how she still sticks with me after all these months, after I straight up lied to her face for so long. She was the only one who actually reached out to me after though. I explained everything and we both agreed to forget about it. I haven’t seen her brother since that night, which is not really much of a surprise since he clearly disapproved of my pregnancy. He doesn’t care about the baby. He only sends handsome loads of money, along with the full ten million dollars I was promised, but I refuse to accept anything from him. He needs to learn that money can't fix everything. "It's the pasteurized stuff." She gives me a reassuring smile. Plopping back down on the lounge chair, she swirl in her own drink. "I made sure of it." I smile softly, thanking her again. I am just hyper conscious o
Xavier's POV I look over at the two beautiful women standing in front of me. A look of extreme guilt rests on both of their faces. "Does this have anything to do with what you wanted to talk about later?" I direct the question to Zoey, already knowing the exact answer: Yes, it does. Alex cast her eyes to the floor before quietly excusing herself, leaving Zoey and I alone in the long hall. She folds her slim arms across her chest looking down at the floor. "Come with me." I turn on my heel and walk to the nearest room so we can have a private conversation. What she said about thinking she was pregnant has been eating at me. She looked so hurt when she told me it was nothing. I guess that's why she has been avoiding me the entire week. She wants a child. If I'm being completely honest, I really do not want a kid right now. I have so many things to think of and balance. Having a kid would not be healthy for the both of us. I would need to give him or her all the love and support
Zoey's POV I groan looking at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is combed neatly in a sleek low ponytail and a light layer of makeup settle on my face. Twisting my body sideways I look down at my belly. I gently rub it. It's growing but it hardly shows; it just looks like I am a bit bloated. It has been a week since I came back here and my symptoms are getting worse. I have frequent headaches, my breasts are a bit tender and I am a little fatigued and more nauseous than usual. I have an appointment tomorrow though that I have to go to with Xavier. He'd been asking questions but I just shut him down every single time. I can't bring myself to tell him, this past week especially, after what happened last week. He has a right to know, that's why I plan on telling him tonight when we get back from this engagement dinner. It is his kid regardless of our situation. I step into a pair of flats and grab my purse from the bed. I was just about to leave when I see Xavier standing at th
Zoey's POV I try to suppress the disappointment and the dull pain in my chest, clutching it until I can hardly breathe. The newfound pain gnaw at my throat, coming out in the form of a silent cry. Beads of salty water carelessly fall from my eyes tainting my cheeks. I sniff, trying to control it, as I slowly slide down the bathroom door and unto the cold floor. A new wave of emotion struck my heart sending a chill through my entire body. I can hardly hold it back anymore. My soundless sobs rock my body as my shoulders convulse, forcing more tears to stream from my already blurry eyes. I can feel the hot tears dripping on my blouse and hands. I squeeze my eyes shut silently letting the tears weld there. I'm so stupid! How could I have been so stupid?! I lean my head back against the wall for support, an excruciating pain jab at my chest. My hands immediately falls to my belly, rubbing my it in a circular motions, whispering comforting words to our unborn child. How could he do
Xavier's POV I roll my eyes at Natasha who staggers through the doorway of her father's secret hoard of liquor. The strong scent of vodka, mixed with the cool air, takes over the foyer almost immediately. What the fuck is she even doing here? "Finally you made it," she slurs, hiccuping as she gives me a once over. Her eyes then flicker to Zoey. She clicks her tongue and raiseher eyebrows. "This should be fun." I look behind me at Zoey. She just rolls her eyes and stand her ground. I smirk, turning back around. I swear, if she so much as lets a letter slip from her mouth I'll fuck her up real bad. My mind automatically goes back to the day when I wake up in my office drunk and angry beside a naked Natasha. I grimace. Even now I can't remember what happened. Knowing this vindictive bitch though, she'd try to ruin my life every possible chance she got. Drunk or not. I roll my eyes once more taking in her drunken state. "Uh, babe, can you go up to our room? I need to have a w
Zoey's POV It's over. It's finally over. I squeeze my fiance's hand lightly as he gently tugs me through the small crowd filing out of the courtroom. The eagerly awaiting paparazzi and media outlets on the concrete step quickly run up to meet us, flashing their cameras and shoving microphones in our faces. Xavier's bodyguards quickly spring into action, trying to make a safe walkway for us to get to our car. "Right this way, sir." One of them guide us while the others tried to form a semi-circle to separate us from the thick crowd. I press the dark shades to my face in order to protect my eyes from the blinding flashes. General and personal questions are thrown my way but I ignore them. Do these people have, like, no chill? I feel extremely queasy as I absentmindedly hold my slightly puffy belly. I don't know whether it is due to the fact that I have morning sickness or that I have to relive my awful experience in that unpleasant courtroom, or maybe the fact that I'm basically
Zoey's POV My chest heaves in silence and burns painfully as tears flow freely from the corners of my eyes. All different scenarios play out in my head, but not one has a happy ending in which I walk away alive. "Okay." My voice comes out croaky, conveying the exact opposite of the emotion I am trying to portray. I hold my hands up in a form of surrender, trembling slightly from the awful thought of being put down from behind. "Just don't shoot, alright?" I slowly turn around, ready to face the bruised, unforgiving face of Troy, but stumble involuntarily when I saw Matthew a foot or two away aiming a gun directly at my head. I swallow instinctively and cast my eyes away from his, breathing heavily. "Go ahead then! Isn't this what you always wanted?!" My eyes dart back on him, not caring about the tears falling heavily from my already puffy eyes. "Go ahead and blow me to pieces! How dare you befriend me. How dare you try to come between Xavier and I?! You have some nerve—" "Go."
Xavier's POV "Look Dad, I don't have time for this bullshit! I need to find Zoey." I stop and look sharply at him. My fiancée has been missing for over an hour now, and this hedgehog wants me to talk about personal problems. He always finds a way. He will find a way. He's coming for me. Her words and frightened face haunts me every single moment I breathe. I really didn't have time for this shit. "So, like, stop following the fuck behind me." "You called me 'Dad'." He sighs, looking at me in disbelief, shoving his hands in his pants pockets. A smile slowly crawls on his face. Oh for fuck's sake! I look at him incredulously, shaking my head, then clasp my hands together shaking them at him. I try to reason with him. "My fiancée, the love of my life, is fucking missing, so do me a huge favor and get lost." I hols onto the railing and continue to climb the stairs. "Shouldn't be too hard, you've been doing it your whole life." "I just need to talk to you," I hear him yapping be
Zoey's POV Complete darkness. That's the first thing that I notice when I open my eyes. Hissing, I feel a sharp pain jolt through the back of my head as small white flashes of light dance around my vision in the dark. Everything hurt too much. It feels like a ticking bomb exploded in my head. My eyes burns painfully and I feel like throwing up due to a lack of fresh air. Slowly, my memory starts to drift back to my conscious mind, even though random bits and pieces are missing. Where the hell am I? I inhale deep, greedily gasping for clean air, only to breathe in the same hot, stale breath. The air becomes stuffy as my sweat and tears mingle before running off my face. There's something over my head! I reach out to grab the thick un-breathable fabric from my face, but my hands are bound to a sturdy object. Grunting, I pull at the rope, jerking around to loosen the grip, but it does not budge— not once. I, tiredly, close my eyes, fearing to take my last breath as life effortles